Director - Central Benchmark Management Lead

Eastspring is a global asset manager with Asia at its core. We create a culture in which diversity is celebrated and inclusion assured, for our colleagues, customers, and partners. We provide a platform for our people to do their best work and make an impact to the business, and in exchange, we support our people's career ambitions. We pledge to make Eastspring a place where you can Connect, Grow and Succeed.

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KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Requirements Management

• Lead the gathering and consolidation of benchmark and market data requirements across Eastspring Investments Group.
• Collaborate with investment teams to ensure benchmarks meet portfolio and performance needs.

Benchmark Governance & Oversight

• Maintain the central benchmark master in coordination with Data Operations.
• Manage the full benchmark lifecycle governance, including periodic reviews, approvals, data validation, and oversight.
• Ensure benchmark practices comply with internal policies and external regulations.
• Manage risks and issues pertaining to benchmark data, including its accuracy and completeness.
• Manage SAA weights and changes on behalf of the investment team.
• Ensure processes and controls are well documented and up to date.
• Drive automation, operational efficiencies and process improvement.
• Provide benchmark expertise and insights to internal stakeholders.
• Support testing and validation to ensure benchmark data is accurate, complete, and fit for purpose across systems.

Vendor Management & Licensing

• Manage relationships with index and market data providers and coordinate enterprise licensing agreements.
• Act as subject matter expert (SME) in procurement processes involving benchmark services.
• Continue to review data services and initiatives to achieve cost optimization.
• Support data budgeting processes.

Benchmark Lifecycle Management

• Work closely with business stakeholders to understand their data needs and analytics requirements.
• Serve as the central coordinator for onboarding, oversight, and offboarding of benchmarks across the firm.
• Ensure seamless integration of benchmarks into investment systems and reporting platforms.

Customisation & Design

• Design and implement fair and fit-for-purpose benchmarks for internal performance measurement, portfolio management, and risk oversight.
• Incorporate ESG restrictions, weight caps, and other constraints that affect the investable universe.

Composite Benchmark Support

• Manage composite benchmark structures, including weight adjustments and methodology updates.
• Ensure composite benchmarks remain aligned with investment strategies and reporting standards.

Change Delivery & Optimisation

• Lead and support benchmark-related projects, including system enhancements and process optimization initiatives.
• Identify and implement opportunities for improving benchmark management efficiency and effectiveness.

People and Team Management

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EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• 10 years+ data management experience within the asset management industry.
• Extensive experience in investment management, benchmark governance, or performance analytics.
• Strong understanding of index methodologies, benchmark construction, and financial markets.
• Proven ability to manage vendor relationships and licensing agreements.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills.

ATTRIBUTES

• Strong team player and manager.
• Proficiency with financial data platforms (e.g., Bloomberg, FactSet, Refinitiv) and investment systems.
• Proficiency with index data providers (e.g. MSCI, FTSE, Morningstar, JPM, Markit etc).
• CFA, FRM, or equivalent professional designation a strong plus.
• Experience with ESG integration and customized benchmark design.

Eastspring is an equal opportunity employer.  We provide equality of opportunity of benefits for all who apply and who perform work for our organisation irrespective of sex, race, age, ethnic origin, educational, social and cultural background, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, disability or part-time / fixed-term work, or any other status protected by applicable law. We encourage the same standards from our recruitment and third-party suppliers taking into account the context of grade, job and location. We also allow for reasonable adjustments to support people with individual physical or mental health requirements.